A glimpse of heaven?

 

Years ago, God did something so remarkable that I often think of it. One morning I woke with a very sore back. No reason, but I stayed in bed not able to rise. I prayed, concerned that I could not care for my children. The answer was unexpected. The Lord filled me with incredible joy. The pain stayed, but the joy was so intense that it faded from my priorities. Today’s reading reminds me of that day. It points to this verse:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places... (Ephesians 1:3)

Before reading this, I read more in Charnock’s book, “The Existence and Attributes of God” in a section about God’s knowledge and how it relates to eternity and that He knows all things even before they happen. These two realities meld. God has blessed me in heavenly places (future for me, eternal for God) and that incident gave me a taste of what He can do even in this life when trials come. As the reading says, I could be crushed or they could carry me to heights of victory. He compares this to an event in the life of Elisha, the prophet.

Elisha was translated into heaven above and that may not happen to me, but He can translate His people into the heaven within us, which “is almost a grander translation” than what happened to him. God is able to carry us up and away from the earthly plane of life where there is hurt and sadness into the “heavenly places in Christ” where we will experience triumph over all below.

Even though these “heavenly places” are interior not exterior, the road that leads to them is interior also. They come with some outward loss, trial, or disappointment, or even chastening that is not joyous, yet even chastening leads to joy...

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)

I have a poster on my fridge that says: “God may not change my circumstances because He wants to change my heart.” For that reason, no matter what happens, as my mom always said, “I must need it or I would not be getting it.”

I’m to look on trials and chastening as God’s chariots sent to carry my soul into the “high places” of spiritual peace and uplifting, no matter how grievous they may be for the present. Even in pain, God can give great joy. He did that for me.

And it is my prayer that my love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that I may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9–11, personalized)

PRAY: Lord, the days have been strenuous with de-cluttering, packing, and many responsibilities, yet You give great joy. Fill me with the fruit of righteousness in every hour. Enable me to be a blessing to all who help us with this move and to You also, to Your glory. Fill my heart with praise and that amazing joy and peace that often do not make sense, but certainly do enable me to do Your will without fear, worry or grumbling.

Overcoming temptation

The first time God brought 1 Corinthians 10:13 to my mind in a life situation happened nearly forty years ago. The memory is vivid. I was riding in a car with another Christian. She was boasting that her life was without difficulty and she never had any problems.

I must admit that I knew instantly that she was not telling the truth. Being a Christian does not put us in a bed of roses or guarantee a trouble-free life. It might seem like it in the beginning as most experience a bit of a honeymoon phase in our new relationship with Jesus, but troubles come very soon.

Note the context of verse 13, and how the people of God were blessed but also tested.

“For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:1–13)

As God’s children, they knew His guidance, were given spiritual sustenance, and had a solid foundation in their relationship with their Savior. However, the desire for evil had not magically vanished. They still wanted things that were forbidden and were sitting ducks for Satan, the Destroyer. Their response to temptation made them examples for us, that we should not think we are invincible. We will be tempted and often are.

Most of my Christian life has involved moving around North America. In those moves, I’ve met many Christians. A few have had a smug self-assurance that puts them in danger. As God says, pride comes before a fall. However, most are not that way. Instead, they are humble, transparent people who are willing to share their struggles.

For me, this has been important. Moving to new places involves being alone often. It takes time to meet and get to know new people. There have been many times when I felt alone with my problems and in fighting temptation. However, the Word of God affirms that I am not alone. Every Christian struggles in the same ways that I do. Knowing that makes it easier to seek support.

And because of God’s promise of providing a way of escape, I’ve also realized that sharing our struggles can be His way of revealing an escape plan. When others say, “This is what works for me . . . .” I know to perk up and listen. While no two people are exactly alike, and God rarely repeats His solutions, the answers He gives others almost always point me in the right direction.

Satan intends trials as temptation, yet God turns that temptation into a weapon against him and a means by which I am brought into maturity. He encourages me with these words:

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6)

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You are fully aware of my struggles against an enemy who does not want me to pray. For days now, my prayer time has been interrupted, challenged, and threatened in other ways. Yet this is a test — how deeply do I want/need to talk with you? Will I persevere? Will I find that way of escape? Or give up looking? I also realize that I am not alone, that all Your children face this same struggle. You promise that all this can build steadfast perseverance in me. I am grateful that You also promise the means to endure. “I can do all things through You who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)